First lesson I learned about CoC was that they are not a denomination, not a sect, but instead counted as a cult. In later posts I will get into the "why" of that, but for now I will post what they consider the requirements for salvation. These six steps to salvation are from http://www.bebaptized.org:
To be saved we must:
- Hear the “good news” (i.e. the gospel) of Jesus Christ
- Believe
- Repent of our sins
- Confess faith in Jesus Christ (We become saved (conversion occurs) and we come into contact with the blood of Christ (or enter into Christ), at baptism, after steps 1-4 have been fulfilled.)
- Be baptized (in water) for the forgiveness of sins
- Remain faithful for the rest of our lives and carry our cross daily
Quick summary of the six steps:
- Baptism is necessary for salvation
- Salvation can be lost
Both of these violate scripture, but in reading their explanations it is clear to me they stand like most cults do in bending scripture to fit what they want it to say. While doing this they placidly ignore what is really said. As they consider anyone outside their belief (anyone in a "denomination") as unsaved and doomed to hell, they are a mini-version of Catholicism, and indeed some of their beliefs stem from that source. I shall elaborate later as I collect my thoughts, but this will turn into a history/doctrinal study on Baptism. Oddly this is something I have never done, so its becoming quite interesting.
You ever try to nail them down on what they believe about what they have to do if they loose their salvation? Do they have to be re-baptized? How often do they loose their salvation? The ones I have talked to will never admit to sinning and loosing their salvation.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I understand, they get a bit confused here. While the believe baptism is necessary to salvation, it is not necessary for re-salvation. By their beliefs, they can lose their salvation many times, but as you say this isn't something commonly discussed.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great question.